The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1887-02-05
Our State Capital Correspondence.
Special to the CARBON ADVOCATE.
FEDRUARY 2nd. 1887.

Special to the CARBON ADVOCATE.
FEBRUARY 2nd, 1887.
Although the Legislature is In session
but three or four days of each week, 1t Is
! astonishing to notice the amount OF work
they manage to get through with. One
fact, quite certain, is that the present Leg
islature propose doing more good solid
work than has characterized many of the
bodies heretofore-no over-adjournments
and silly protraction; everything likely to
interfere with the business of the Assem-.
blv is passed by. The new pay-lAw which
gives them piece work rather than days
wages has something to do in regard to
the matter, but much is to be said in favor
of the general elevation and tone of the
body. One fact, very evident, is that il is
a temperance body, too. In days gone by
the convening of the Legislature was al
ways looked upon as time for series of
protracted sprees--the genial and oft times
uproarous spirits of the members making
things exceedingly lively round the hotels
and usual haunts of Assemblymen. How
ever, that was in ''ye olden days" and
things are much different new.
That the Republicans have succeeded in
getting themselves into lugubrous pre-
dicament regarding the Prohibition ques-
tion is quite certain from the fact that it is
not strictly in ACCORDANCE with Republican
legislation. That the prohibitory amend
ment without the compensatory clause will
pass the House is quite certain as a poll OF
votes has been taken which insures a clear
working majority. However, when it
tackles the Senate there is a likelihood of
being some difficulty. Brooks high IL
cense bill will also pass the House. The
maximum of the bill was reported at 5000,
however after going through the hands of
the committee the measure was greatly
modified The prominent liquor men Of
the State have been here in large numbers
this week and will doall they can to pre-
vent the measures passing the Senate.
They don't have so much to do with the
members of the Legislature, you know, but
look to something higher. wouldn't for
the world intimate that any Of the members
would be subject to "boodle," but there's
no telling what might happen, for there
are none of us above temptation, you
know. l,;to
A bill has been! presented, and Is num-
bered ninetyLtwo, which If it ever becomes
a law will knock out the dudes in quick
order as it will prevent all under eighteen
years from using tobacco in any form. The
presentation of this bill makes one thing
certain-th we have set of demagogues
with us, set of hypocritical towards who
would like to rule or ruin. Fortunately
such legislation will not go far, and the
question of what we shall eat, drink, etc.,
will still be in our own hands.
A first class joke was perpetrated on one
Of the more rural members of the Legisla-
tive body, not long since. A gentleman
approached popular figure in the hall and
asked if he could tell him who the member
WAS from such and such a county? mo-"
answered the gentleman thoughtfully.
"H'ell. what does he do?" "Why, he
votes, you know" Unfortunately such
is the ease with many of our legislators and
proves the fooishness of the policy of re-
tation in politics. We have many fine and
intelligent gentlemen here, serving their
first term, who would and could become
powers in matters of State legislation in
the course of a few years if they could hold
their seals. At the end of their terms they
must make room for other aspiring poll
ticiaus, and the consequence is that "grcen
horns'are filing in regularly every year from
every section and just as the member be-
comes thoroughly initiated he must make
room for some one else.